Tang Dynasty Marble Base for Maitreya Figure

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A rare Chinese marble tiered base, Tang Dynasty, dated 697-698, made for a figure of Maitreya, the top in the form of an open lotus flower on an octagonal section, supported by five squatting figures, resting on a rectangular-shaped support, a continuous inscription around the sides, 'Commissioned by Du Renzhe, Hebei, made in the 2nd year of the Wan Shui Tong Tien'. Produced for a temple in Hebei province. Base: 32 x 35 cm, 24 cm high. Provenance: Melbourne private collection, acquired by a Professor of Art History in Italy and brought to Melbourne in the early 1970's, and passed on by descent to the current owner, Reference: see Christies NY, 16/9/2011, lot 1362 for an Eastern Wei figure of Guanyin supported on a similarly inscribed base

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